Do Drug Courts Really Work?

Do Drug Courts Really Work?
This question is answered in an editorial in the Baltimore Sun!

May 4, 2011
Jamey Hueston is presiding judge of the Baltimore City District Court's Adult Drug Treatment Court.

As the judge in charge of the Baltimore City District Court Drug Court for the past 17 years, and the current chairperson of the state's Judicial Conference Commission on Problem Solving Courts, I am disturbed by recent articles in this paper and elsewhere attacking drug courts as ineffective, essentially calling for drug use to be treated outside of the criminal justice system, and incorrectly asserting that drug courts are most effective for individuals who do not have a drug problem. This is patently incorrect, as proven by evaluations that document the significant effect of drug courts on reducing crime and saving lives.

According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, drug courts on average return to the community $7 for every $1 invested (and up to $27 for every $1 invested, when factoring in savings from reduced foster care placements, health care services and other cost offsets). A cost-benefit study of the Baltimore City Drug Court showed almost $3 million in total cost savings for all participants during the three-year study period.

These benefits were evident when I recently presided over the 38th Baltimore City Drug Court graduation. Thirty-three individuals whose families and communities had been devastated by their lengthy drug addiction boasted almost one year of drug-free and responsible behavior. These graduates have transformed heartbreaking accounts of loss and struggle into narratives of hope and success.

During my tenure, I have heard countless testimonies to the success of drug court from participants who have broken the cycle of addiction. One graduate who sold his children's Christmas gifts to support a 20-year heroin habit was invited to share his family's Christmas dinner after achieving sobriety. I remember "Sarah," who became partially blind while "chasing the high" but regained her children and freedom from drugs after completing drug court.